Vol. VIII, No. 9.] Persian, Tibetan and Newari Farmans. 327 
[N.S.] 
issuing farmans dates from time immemorial. It was the 
practice of kings addressing their subjects on any point or 
matter. ough, presumably, very ancient farmons may still 
exist, they are scarce and rare; some may be found which be- 
long to the early Muhammadan Kings of Delhi; but old farmans 
and documents of the later Muhammadan Kings, especially of 
the Moghul Emperors, are very common. 
n the back of the farmans, particularly of those belong- 
ing to the Moghul period, are inserted explanations of various 
ces: hence, we ‘may reasonably conclude that the offices 
that the farmans were written on paper of different quality and 
size, some on simple paper, others on illuminated paper decora- 
ted with flowers and foliage, according to the position or rank 
I t intend, Gentlemen, to give you at present a 
detailed description of each of these farmans; I reserve for the 
near future their publication: clear and legible impressions, 
their transliterations and English translations, with the nec 
sary commentary notes as to the time and circumstances in 
which they were issued. 
. egin withthe first category which contains, as you 
will observe, Persian scripts, some are Sanads, also called Par- 
Ss- 
sent repeatedly messengers to Goa, requesting that some quali- 
Christian teachers would come to him, and assuring them 
d the 
Fathers at the Moghul court. In fact, there is no part of the 
history of Catholic missions in India which exhibits scenes of 
